Structural wood beam weather guard cap

ABSTRACT

A protective cap placed on top of a structural beam for the purpose of protecting the structural beam from water, chemicals, electrolyses or other elements which may degrade the structural integrity of the structural beam. The protective cap may be constructed of a self sealing or self healing material for the purpose of restricting liquids from seeping through screw holes or nail holes. The edges of the protective cap may be formed so as to shed a liquid away from the sides of the structural beam. The cap may also have properties for protecting it from the effects of the sun and ultraviolet rays The cap may form a protective spacer between the structural beam material and the decking material which is fastened to above the structural beam.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cap that protects a structural support beam from rot due to water following a nail or screw into the upper surface of the structural support beam.

The present invention also relates to a cap protecting a structural support beam from the effects of dissimilar materials being fastened to the support beam.

The present invention relates to a cap that protects a decking such as a metal roof from the harmful effects of a structural support beam which has been constructed of a chemically treated anti rot compound such as in the example of “ pressure treated lumber”.

Description of the Prior Art

Current state of the art decks built out doors have decking boards screwed or nailed directly into a wood structural support beam. Rain water falling onto the decking board follows the nail or screw into the upper surface of the wood structural support beam thus causing the moisture around the nail or screw to set up rot in the structural support beam. Thus the screws or nails loose their grip and the decking board is no longer securely fastened to the support beam. Also rot around the screws or nails continues and the wood support beam loosed its structural strength.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shortcomings and disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the current invention.

It is another object of the present invention to construct a cap with self sealing properties for placing between a structural support beam and a decking for the purpose of minimizing rot of the structural support beam.

It is an object of the present invention to restrict water from following a fastener such as a nail or screw into the upper surface of a structural support beam.

It is another object of the present invention to construct a cap with self sealing properties and ultra violet protection for placing between a structural support beam and a decking for the purpose of minimizing rot of the structural support beam.

It is another object of the present invention to construct a cap with self sealing properties and ultra violet protection and an adhesive bottom side for placing between a structural support beam and a decking for the purpose of minimizing rot of the structural support beam.

It is another object of the present invention to construct a cap with self sealing properties and ultra violet protection and an adhesive bottom side and an adhesive top side for placing between a structural support beam and a decking for the purpose of minimizing rot of the structural support beam.

It is yet another object of the present invention to construct a cap for placing over a structural support beam which will minimize the volume of water or other liquids that would run down the sides of a structural support beam.

It is yet another object of the present invention to minimize moisture or liquids from coming in contact with the vertical side of a structural support beam thus minimizing rot or corrosion.

It is another object of the present invention to construct a cap for placing between a structural support beam and a decking for the purpose of protecting the structural support beam material from a decking material such as when a metal roof is fastened to a pressure treated rafter, or an aluminum floor grate is fastened over a steel support beam.

It is yet another object of the present invention to keep moisture out from between decking and structural support beam that can freeze and expand which can hurt the integrity of said structure.

It is yet another object of the present invention to prolong the life of a wood structural beam (frame) such as pressure treated support beam that is decked with pressure treated decking or a product that does not rot or decay at the same rate as a wood structure such as trex or similar products. This will make the structure last longer with less repairs.

It is yet another object of the present invention to prolong the life of different materials where contact with each other with or without the presents of liquids may cause electrolysis and corrosion between two different materials.

It is yet another object of the present invention to construct a support beam weather guard apparatus such as a self sealing double face tape for placing between the top surface of a support beam and the bottom side of a decking board for the purpose of protecting the top side of the support beam from rotting due to water being collected in that area.

Prominent features of the present invention have been broadly outlined above in order that the detailed description that follows may be understood. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Is an end elevation view illustrating a decking board fastened to a support beam and having a protective weather cap positioned between the decking board and the structural beam.

FIG. 2 Is an end elevation view illustrating a decking board fastened to a support beam and having a protective weather cap positioned between the decking board and the structural beam. The cap illustrates that it's form may change while still accomplishing the same results.

FIG. 3 Is an end elevation view illustrating a decking board fastened to a support beam and having a protective weather cap positioned between the decking board and the structural beam and the addition of an adhesive attached to the bottom side of the cap. The adhesive can attached the cap to the beam during construction as well as resist water from collecting between the top of the beam and the bottom of the cap.

FIG. 4 Is a side view of several decking boards fastened to a support beam and having a protective weather cap positioned between the decking board and the structural beam.

FIG. 5 Is an end elevation view illustrating a decking board fastened to a support beam and having a support beam weather guard cap positioned between the decking board and the structural beam and an adhesive is attached to the bottom side and the top side of the support beam weather guard cap. The adhesive can attach the cap to the support beam and the decking board during construction as well as resist water from collecting between the top of the beam and the bottom of the cap and or the top of the cap and the bottom of the decking board. The support beam weather guard cap is illustrated as a self sealing double faced tape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Using the drawings, illustrations of the present invention will now be explained.

FIG. 1 is an end of a structural beam 1. Structural beam 1 is a beam generally used for supporting a load and said beam is generally positioned in a horizontal position such as a floor joist or decking joist, although it may have a slope such as the slope of a roof rafter. Said structural beam 1 may be constructed of wood, concrete or steel such as a bar joist or I beam. The structural beam 1 has a top surface 2. A decking board 7 is generally fastened above and to the top side 2 of structural beam 1. The decking board 7 can be a wood structure, a metal roofing structure, a metal floor grate or the like.

A cap 4 having a length which extends a length of the structural beam 1 and a width which is substantially equal to or exceeds the top surface 2 width, and said cap 4 has a thickness for the purpose of giving it structural strength. The cap 4 may be constructed of compounds which give it a self healing/self sealing property. Self healing properties includes the cap compound ability to seal against a nail of screw which penetrates the cap 4 thus resisting water from following a nail or screw through the penetration hole which may be created by the nail or screw penetrating the cap 4. The cap 4 may also include a compound having an ability for resisting the effects of the sun, including a resistance to ultra violet light. The cap 4 may be positioned between the structural beam 1 top surface 2 and a decking board 7. A fastener 8 may be forced through the decking board 7, through the cap 4 and into the structural beam 1 for the purpose of attaching the decking board 7 to the structural beam 1. The fastener 8 may be a nail, a screw or the like. A property of the cap 4 material of construction may be that it seals 6 against the fastener 8 so as to restrict water 9 and other liquids 9 from following the fastener 8 into the structural beam 1.

The edge 5 of the cap 4 may be formed so as to shed water 9 away from the side 3 of the structural beam 1.

An adhesive 10 may be positioned between the cap 4 and the structural beam 1 for the purpose of holding the cap 4 in position during construction. The adhesive 10 may also include a sealing property for the purpose of restriction water 9 from following the fastener 8 into the structural beam 1.

FIG. 2 is an end view illustrating that the shape of the cap 4 can vary while accomplishing the same objective.

FIG. 3 is an end view illustrating that an adhesive 10 may be placed on the bottom side of cap 4 for the purpose of attaching the cap 4 to the beam 1. The adhesive 10 holds the cap 4 in place until the decking 7 is applied and fastener 8 is applied. Adhesive 10 also performs the function of resisting water 9 from accumulation in the area between the cap 4 and the top of the beam 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating several decking boards 7 fastened with fasteners 8 to the top 2 of support beam 1. A protective cap 4 is shown to be positioned between the decking boards 7 and the top 2 of a beam 1. Water 9 is illustrated as landing on the decking board 7 and flowing over the side of the protective cap 4.

FIG. 5 is an end view illustrating that an adhesive 10 may be placed on the bottom side of cap 4 for the purpose of attaching the cap 4 to the beam 1. The adhesive 10 holds the cap 4 against the beam 1 top, surface 2, until the decking 7 is applied and fastener 8 is applied. Adhesive 10 also performs the function of resisting water 9 from accumulation in the area between the cap 4 and the top of the beam 2. An adhesive 11 may be placed on top of protective cap 4. The adhesive 11 will form a bond between the top of cap 4 and the underside of decking board 7. The adhesive 11 may perform the function of resisting water 9 from accumulating in the area between the top of cap 4 and the bottom of decking board 7.

The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe an example of the invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

The illustrations were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application. The preceding description is intended to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims.

If, for any reason this application is not believed to be in full condition for allowance, applicant respectfully request the constructive assistance and suggestions of the Examiner pursuant to M.P.E.P. 2173.02 and 707.07(j) in order that the undersigned can place this application in allowable condition as soon as possible and without the need for further proceedings. 

1. A structural wood beam cap apparatus for placing over the top surface of said structural wood beam for the purpose of protecting said wood beam from water damage wherein said cap apparatus comprises a length for covering a length of said wood beam, a width for covering a width of said wood beam and a thickness for giving structural strength to said cap apparatus and said width further comprises an edge wherein said edge extends beyond said width of said wood beam, and said edge further comprises a formed shape which will shed said water away from the sides of said structural wood beam; and said cap apparatus further comprises a compound and said compound further comprises a self healing property wherein said cap apparatus seals it's self against a nail or screw when said nail or screw penetrates said cap apparatus; whereby water located on the top of said cap apparatus will be restricted from following said nail or screw through said cap apparatus and into said wood beam.
 2. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said cap apparatus further comprising an adhesive compound for the purpose of attaching said cap apparatus to said structural wood beam.
 3. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said cap apparatus further comprising a compound for protecting said cap apparatus from the effects of the sun.
 4. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said cap apparatus further comprises an adhesive compound applied to the bottom surface of said cap apparatus; whereby said cap apparatus may be glued to said structural wood beam, and said adhesive properties may resist water from collecting between said cap apparatus and said structural wood beam.
 5. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said cap apparatus further comprises an adhesive compound applied to the top surface of said cap apparatus; whereby said cap apparatus may be glued to a decking board; whereby said adhesive properties may resist water from collecting between said cap and said decking board.
 6. A structural wood beam cap apparatus for placing over the top surface of a structural wood beam for the purpose of protecting said structural wood beam from water damage, wherein said cap apparatus comprises a length, a width and a thickness wherein said cap apparatus is formed so that said length of said cap apparatus extends a length of said structural beam's top surface, and the width of said cap apparatus exceeds the width of said structural wood beams top surface and said width further comprises an edge wherein said edge extends beyond said width of said wood beam, and said edge further comprises a formed shape which will shed said water away from the sides of said structural wood beam; and the thickness of said cap apparatus gives structural strength to said cap apparatus, and said cap apparatus further comprises a compound and said compound further comprises a self healing property and said cap apparatus further comprises a compound which further comprises an ultra violet resisting property.
 7. A method for restricting water from penetrating the top surface of a structural wood beam implemented by a water resistant, water shedding, self healing, ultra violet resistant cap apparatus positioned to the top surface of said structural wood beam, comprising the steps of: Positioning the bottom surface of a cap apparatus to the top surface of a structural wood beam; positioning a bottom side of a decking apparatus to the top surface of said cap apparatus; forcing a fastener apparatus throw said decking apparatus and said cap apparatus and into said structural wood beam for the purpose of fastening said decking apparatus to said structural wood beam while also forming a liquid resistant seal between said decking apparatus and said structural wood beam; for the purpose of restricting a liquid from following said fastener apparatus into said structural beam.
 8. A method as described in claim 7 and further comprising the step of Applying an adhesive to the bottom side of said cap apparatus for the purpose of adhering and sealing said cap apparatus to said structural wood beam.
 9. A method as described in claim 7 and further comprising the step of Applying an adhesive to a top side of said cap apparatus for the purpose of adhering and sealing said cap to said decking apparatus. 